The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has called off the suspension of hostilities in the Niger Delta, calling the amnesty programme declared by the president for all militants as ploy to suppress their agitations without a commensurate development of the region.

MEND had on the October 25, 2009 declared a unilaterally ceasefire, to encourage the process of dialogue between the government and the Aaron team that the group had selected to negotiate its demands for lasting peace in the region after the President, Umar Yar'Adua declared an amnesty for all militants in the region.

In statement signed by the group's spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, the ceasefire is effective today, Saturday, January 30, after "careful consideration and extensive consultation."

"This ceasefire was ordered in the hope that the government of Nigeria would consider true dialogue founded on a sincere desire to bring justice to the people of the Niger Delta, and true peace to Nigeria" it added.

According to the group, a new phase of attack will be launched on all oil-companies operating in the region, stating that "all companies related to the oil industry in the Niger Delta should prepare for an all-out onslaught against their installations and personnel. Nothing will be spared."


The group gave its target to include "oil service companies which have experienced a boom as a result of the misfortunes of oil producing companies, repairing pipelines destroyed in attacks" and asked oil companies to halt operations "as any operational installation attacked will be burnt to the ground."

Amnesty in limbo

MEND claims the ongoing amnesty plan by the federal government is a charade, planned "to blow away the spirit of agitation in the Niger Delta" with what it called "the bribing of a few thugs it has labelled stakeholders."

Mr. Yar'Adua had laid plans to pay repentant militant a monthly stipend as they undergo a rehabilitation and reintegration process as part of the amnesty plan. Over 11,000 youths embraced the amnesty plan, giving away their arms and ammunition.

The group also alleges that "the government of Nigeria has no intentions of considering the demands made by this group for the control of the resources and land of the Niger Delta to be reverted to the rightful owners, the people of the Niger Delta."

It condemned the President's plan of ceding 10 per cent of stakes in the joint venture partnerships between the oil companies and the federal government to the oil producing communities stating that "the suggestion is preposterous!"

MEND claims that "the Nigerian government defines an oil producing community as one where oil installations are sited; where oil is drilled or where flow stations and other facilities relevant to the continued bleeding of the Niger Delta and exportation of its mineral resources are found." Therefore the government will consider "Kaduna State and other Northern states where pipelines pass through to the refinery in Kaduna, oil producing states" the group stated.

The Nigerian government is yet to react to the latest threat by the militant group.